Owners of brand smartphones Honor often face the need to change the standard behavior of the operating system after purchasing a device. By default, Android suggests using pre-installed services to open links, play media files, or make calls, but the user experience dictates its own rules. The flexibility of the platform allows you to assign your favorite default applications, which significantly speeds up work and makes interaction with the gadget more comfortable.
The setup process may vary depending on the shell version MagicOS or EMUI, but the basic logic remains unchanged. You won't need root access or complex engineering menus, since all the necessary tools are hidden in the standard settings section. Understanding how app priority works will help avoid confusion when the phone suddenly stops opening links in the desired browser.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may differ slightly on different Honor models (for example, X series vs. flagship Magic), as the manufacturer regularly updates the visual style of the shell.
Logic of how priorities work in Android
The Android operating system is built on the principle of processing file types and actions. When you click on a link in the messenger, the system receives a request like http or https and searches the list of installed apps for those that claim to be able to process this type of data. If there is only one such application, it starts automatically, becoming the de facto standard.
The situation becomes more complicated when several browsers or players are installed on the device. At this moment the mechanism default prioritiescomes into force. The system remembers your choice after the first confirmation of the action with the "Always" checkbox. This means that subsequent requests of the same type will ignore other options and immediately open the previously selected app.
⚠️ Warning: Some system applications, such as the phone book or SMS, may be hardwired to system security services and not allow complete replacement without the use of third-party launchers or ADB commands.
It is important to understand the difference between “open by default” and “main screen”. The launcher (desktop shell) is controlled separately, usually through a long press on an empty area of the screen or in the display section. Ordinary utilities, such as email clients or navigators, are configured through the general application manager, which will be discussed later.
Searching for the application settings section
To begin any manipulations, you need to go to the app control center. On smartphones Honor this path is standardized, but the names of the items may have synonyms in different localizations. You need to open the main Settings devices, which are usually represented by a gear icon.
In the list that opens, scroll down to the section responsible for software. Depending on the firmware version, it may simply be called "Applications", "Applications and Notifications" or "Manage Applications". This is where all the power over installed packages is concentrated.
After entering the menu, you will see a list of all installed apps. However, we do not need a list, but advanced settings. At the top of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), the “Default Management” or “Default Applications” item is often hidden. If such an item is not visible, you should look for it inside a specific application by selecting it from the list.
- 🔍 Open
Settingssmartphone. - 📱 Go to the section Applications.
- ⚙️ Find the "Manage by default" item in the top menu or inside the list.
- 📂 Alternative way: select a specific application from the list and look there.
Setting up browsers and links
Change default browser is the most common task, since many users prefer Chrome, Yandex or DuckDuckGo instead of the standard solution. To change the selection, find the "Default Applications" section in the settings and select "Browser". It will offer a list of all installed browsers that can process web links.
If you select a new browser, all links from instant messengers, mail and other applications will begin to open in it. This applies not only to protocols http, but also to deep links, which can lead directly to a specific application if it is installed.
If the desired browser is not in the list, make sure that it is fully installed and has all the necessary permissions to work in the background.
In some cases, the system may ask you to choose again each time. This happens if you have previously reset the settings or if the app has been updated with a signature change. To fix the choice, when you first launch the link, be sure to click “Always” and not “Once.”
⚠️ Attention: When changing browsers, some built-in news feed widgets may continue to open articles in their own built-in browser, ignoring system settings.
Replacing the dialer and message app
Replacing the standard dialer and SMS client requires special care, since these functions are critical to the operation of the phone. To install a third-party application (for example, Truecaller or Google Messages) as the main one, you must first install it from the store. If you missed this point, the path is through the settings: Play Market or AppGallery.
After installation, the first time you launch the app, it will ask for rights to (become the default application). If you missed this point, the path is through the settings: Settings → Applications → Default applications → Phone (or SMS). Here you just need to switch the radio button to the desired application.
☑️ Check before changing dialer
It is important to note that third-party callers may not have access to some specific functions of the modem Honor, such as call recording (varies by region) or noise reduction control. Therefore, before a complete transition, it is worth testing the quality of communication.
- 📞 Make sure that the new dialer has permission Phone.
- 💬 SMS requires permission to access Messages.
- 🔄 After shifts, check the display of contacts in the call log.
- 🔊 Test the speaker volume during a call.
Managing file associations
Android allows you to flexibly configure which app opens a specific file type. For example, PDF documents can be opened in a browser, in Adobe Acrobat or in a system viewer. To change this behavior, sometimes it is enough to simply select the desired action when opening a file and click "Always".
However, if you have already checked the "Always" checkbox for an inappropriate app, the system will stop asking. In this case, you need to reset the default settings for a specific application or for the entire system. This is done in the menu Settings → Applications → [Selected application] → Open as default → Reset settings.
What to do if the file does not open?
If no application opens the file, the format may be damaged or the phone does not have a suitable codec. Try installing a universal player, such as VLC or MX Player, which contain built-in codecs for most video and audio formats.
For multimedia files (video, music), the concept of “decoder” is often used. If you have installed a powerful player, but the video still starts in the gallery, check the settings of the player itself - many of them have the option "Register as the main player."
Table: Types of actions and settings
The table below shows the main types of actions that can be reassigned, and where exactly to look for the corresponding settings in the interface Honor.
| Type actions | Where to look for the setting | Example applications | The importance of restarting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web links | Default applications → Browser | Chrome, Firefox, Opera | No |
| Calls | Default applications → Phone application | Google Phone, Truecaller | Recommended |
| SMS/MMS | Default applications → SMS | Google Messages, Textra | No |
| Navigation | Opening map links | Yandex Maps, 2GIS | No |
| Video/Audio | Opening files of appropriate formats | VLC, MX Player | No |
Resetting the "Open to default" settings for a specific application often solves the problem when the system ignores your new choice and continues to launch the old app.
Resetting the settings to default
Sometimes there is a need to return everything as it was or to correct the situation when the phone “forgot” rather than open files. Globally resetting application settings to default will return the system state to the factory state: with every action (opening a link, photo, document), the smartphone will again ask you about preferences.
To perform this operation, go to Settings → Applications → (Three-dot menu) → Reset application settings. In some versions MagicOS this item may be located in the "System and Update" → "Reset" section. Be careful: this step will not delete your data or the applications themselves, it will only clear the memory of your launch preferences.
Effect on alarms
Resetting settings to default may also affect alarm clocks. After the procedure, make sure that your alarm app has permission to run in the background, otherwise the phone may not wake you up in time.
There is also a reset option for an individual app. If you accidentally make the wrong choice for one file type, you don't have to reset all system settings. Just find the problematic application in the list, enter its details and click the "Reset default settings" (or "Delete default settings") button.
- 🔄 A global reset will affect all types of files and actions.
- 🎯 A local reset is safer and more accurately solves a specific problem.
- ⏰ After resetting, check the operation of alarms and reminders.
- 🔐 Some system settings may require password confirmation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did all my applications reset to default after updating the system?
When major Android or shell updates MagicOS internal security certificates or package structures change. The system regards this as a potential risk and resets trusted associations so that the user can re-confirm the selection of safe applications.
Is it possible to make a third-party gallery the main one instead of the standard one?
Yes, it is possible. Install any gallery from the store (for example, Google Photos or Simple Gallery). When you first open an image, the system will ask you how to open the file. Select the new gallery and click "Always". If the issue does not arise, reset the settings for the old gallery.
What should I do if the "Default Applications" button is grayed out or unavailable?
This may mean that the device has a corporate profile or device administrator restrictions. Also check if Guest mode or child restrictions are enabled, which block changes to system settings.
Does choosing a default application affect battery consumption?
Indirectly - yes. Some "heavy" browsers or caller ID dialers consume more resources in the background than their lightweight system counterparts. If you notice a rapid discharge after changing the main software, try optimizing its energy saving settings.